Inherited RMD Calculator (Post-2019 Deaths)
Use this calculator to estimate the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for an inherited IRA or 401(k) under the SECURE Act rules (for deaths occurring after December 31, 2019).
// IRS Single Life Expectancy Table (Table I from Pub 590-B, Appendix B)
var singleLifeExpectancyTable = {
1: 84.6, 2: 83.6, 3: 82.6, 4: 81.6, 5: 80.6, 6: 79.6, 7: 78.6, 8: 77.6, 9: 76.6, 10: 75.6,
11: 74.6, 12: 73.6, 13: 72.6, 14: 71.6, 15: 70.6, 16: 69.6, 17: 68.6, 18: 67.6, 19: 66.6, 20: 65.6,
21: 64.6, 22: 63.6, 23: 62.6, 24: 61.6, 25: 60.6, 26: 59.6, 27: 58.7, 28: 57.7, 29: 56.7, 30: 55.7,
31: 54.7, 32: 53.7, 33: 52.8, 34: 51.8, 35: 50.8, 36: 49.8, 37: 48.9, 38: 47.9, 39: 46.9, 40: 46.0,
41: 45.0, 42: 44.0, 43: 43.1, 44: 42.1, 45: 41.2, 46: 40.2, 47: 39.3, 48: 38.3, 49: 37.4, 50: 36.4,
51: 35.5, 52: 34.6, 53: 33.6, 54: 32.7, 55: 31.8, 56: 30.9, 57: 29.9, 58: 29.0, 59: 28.1, 60: 27.2,
61: 26.3, 62: 25.4, 63: 24.5, 64: 23.7, 65: 22.8, 66: 21.9, 67: 21.1, 68: 20.2, 69: 19.4, 70: 18.5,
71: 17.7, 72: 16.9, 73: 16.1, 74: 15.3, 75: 14.5, 76: 13.7, 77: 12.9, 78: 12.2, 79: 11.4, 80: 10.7,
81: 10.0, 82: 9.3, 83: 8.6, 84: 7.9, 85: 7.3, 86: 6.6, 87: 6.0, 88: 5.4, 89: 4.8, 90: 4.3,
91: 3.8, 92: 3.3, 93: 2.9, 94: 2.5, 95: 2.1, 96: 1.7, 97: 1.4, 98: 1.1, 99: 0.8, 100: 0.5,
101: 0.2, 102: 0.1, 103: 0.1, 104: 0.1, 105: 0.1, 106: 0.1, 107: 0.1, 108: 0.1, 109: 0.1, 110: 0.1,
111: 0.1, 112: 0.1, 113: 0.1, 114: 0.1, 115: 0.1, 116: 0.1, 117: 0.1, 118: 0.1, 119: 0.1, 120: 0.1
};
function calculateAge(dob, asOfDate) {
var birthDate = new Date(dob);
var asOf = new Date(asOfDate);
var age = asOf.getFullYear() – birthDate.getFullYear();
var m = asOf.getMonth() – birthDate.getMonth();
if (m < 0 || (m === 0 && asOf.getDate() < birthDate.getDate())) {
age–;
}
return age;
}
function getLifeExpectancyFactor(age) {
if (age 120) return singleLifeExpectancyTable[120]; // Maximum age for table
return singleLifeExpectancyTable[age];
}
function getDeceasedRBDDate(deceasedDOB) {
var dob = new Date(deceasedDOB);
var birthYear = dob.getFullYear();
var rmdAge;
// Determine RMD age based on birth year (SECURE Act 2.0 rules for current RMD ages)
if (birthYear = 1951 && birthYear <= 1959) { // Born 1951-1959
rmdAge = 72; // RBD is April 1 of year after turning 72
} else { // Born 1960 or later
rmdAge = 73; // RBD is April 1 of year after turning 73
}
var rmdYear = birthYear + rmdAge + 1; // Year RMDs would start (April 1st of this year)
return new Date(rmdYear, 3, 1); // April 1st of the RMD year
}
function calculateInheritedRMD() {
var accountBalance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("accountBalance").value);
var beneficiaryDOB = document.getElementById("beneficiaryDOB").value;
var deceasedDOB = document.getElementById("deceasedDOB").value;
var deceasedDOD = document.getElementById("deceasedDOD").value;
var rmdYear = parseInt(document.getElementById("rmdYear").value);
var isSpouseBeneficiary = document.getElementById("isSpouseBeneficiary").checked;
var isEDBOther = document.getElementById("isEDBOther").checked;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("rmdResult");
resultDiv.innerHTML = "";
// Input validation
if (isNaN(accountBalance) || accountBalance < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid account balance.";
return;
}
if (!beneficiaryDOB || !deceasedDOB || !deceasedDOD) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid dates of birth and death.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(rmdYear) || rmdYear < 2020) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid RMD year (2020 or later).";
return;
}
var dodDate = new Date(deceasedDOD);
var dodYear = dodDate.getFullYear();
if (dodYear < 2020) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "This calculator is for deaths occurring after December 31, 2019 (SECURE Act rules). For deaths prior to 2020, different RMD rules apply.";
return;
}
if (rmdYear < dodYear + 1) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "RMDs for inherited accounts typically begin the calendar year *following* the year of the owner's death. Please select an RMD year of " + (dodYear + 1) + " or later.";
return;
}
var beneficiaryAge = calculateAge(beneficiaryDOB, rmdYear + '-12-31');
if (beneficiaryAge = deceasedRBDDate);
var rmdAmount = 0;
var explanation = "";
var lifeExpectancyFactor = 0;
var tenYearEndDate = dodYear + 10;
if (isSpouseBeneficiary) {
lifeExpectancyFactor = getLifeExpectancyFactor(beneficiaryAge);
rmdAmount = accountBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "As a spouse beneficiary, you have several options. If you elect to treat this as an inherited IRA (rather than rolling it over to your own IRA), your RMD for " + rmdYear + " is calculated based on your own life expectancy. Your RMD is
$" + rmdAmount.toFixed(2) + ". (Life Expectancy Factor: " + lifeExpectancyFactor + "). You may also have the option to roll over the inherited funds into your own IRA, which would defer RMDs until you reach your own RMD age.";
} else if (isEDBOther) {
lifeExpectancyFactor = getLifeExpectancyFactor(beneficiaryAge);
rmdAmount = accountBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "As an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (other than a spouse), your RMD for " + rmdYear + " is calculated based on your own life expectancy. Your RMD is
$" + rmdAmount.toFixed(2) + ". (Life Expectancy Factor: " + lifeExpectancyFactor + "). Please note: If you are a minor child, this rule applies until you reach the age of majority, after which the 10-year rule will apply.";
} else { // Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary (NEDB)
if (deceasedWasTakingRMDs) {
// Deceased died on or after their RBD
lifeExpectancyFactor = getLifeExpectancyFactor(beneficiaryAge);
rmdAmount = accountBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "As a Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary, and because the deceased owner died on or after their Required Beginning Date, you are required to take annual RMDs based on your life expectancy during the 10-year period. Your RMD for " + rmdYear + " is
$" + rmdAmount.toFixed(2) + ". (Life Expectancy Factor: " + lifeExpectancyFactor + "). The entire account balance must still be distributed by December 31, " + tenYearEndDate + ".";
} else {
// Deceased died before their RBD
rmdAmount = 0; // No annual RMDs
explanation = "As a Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary, and because the deceased owner died before their Required Beginning Date, no annual RMD is required for " + rmdYear + ". However, the entire account balance must be distributed by December 31, " + tenYearEndDate + ".";
}
}
resultDiv.innerHTML = "" + explanation + "";
}
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Understanding Inherited RMDs Under the SECURE Act
The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act), enacted in late 2019, significantly changed the rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from inherited retirement accounts. For deaths occurring after December 31, 2019, the "stretch IRA" strategy, which allowed non-spouse beneficiaries to stretch distributions over their lifetime, was largely eliminated.
Key Changes for Post-2019 Deaths:
- 10-Year Rule: Most non-spouse beneficiaries are now subject to the 10-year rule. This means the entire inherited account must be distributed by the end of the 10th calendar year following the year of the original owner's death.
- Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (EDBs): Certain beneficiaries are exempt from the strict 10-year rule and can still use their own life expectancy to calculate RMDs. These include:
- The surviving spouse of the deceased owner.
- A minor child of the deceased owner (until they reach the age of majority, typically 21, after which the 10-year rule applies).
- A disabled individual.
- A chronically ill individual.
- Any individual who is not more than 10 years younger than the deceased owner.
- Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (NEDBs): Most other individual beneficiaries (e.g., adult children, siblings, friends, trusts for non-EDBs) fall under the 10-year rule.
How RMDs are Calculated:
The calculation method depends primarily on the type of beneficiary and whether the deceased owner had already started taking their own RMDs before death.
1. Spouse Beneficiary:
A surviving spouse has the most flexibility. They can:
- Roll over the inherited IRA into their own IRA: This is often the most advantageous option, as it allows the spouse to treat the account as their own, deferring RMDs until they reach their own Required Beginning Date (RBD).
- Treat the inherited IRA as their own: Similar to a rollover, but without physically moving the funds.
- Take RMDs as an inherited IRA: If the spouse chooses this option, they can use their own life expectancy to calculate annual RMDs, starting the year after the original owner's death. This calculator assumes this option if "Is the beneficiary the deceased's spouse?" is checked.
2. Other Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (EDBs – non-spouse):
These beneficiaries (minor children, disabled, chronically ill, or not more than 10 years younger) can generally stretch distributions over their own life expectancy, similar to the old "stretch IRA" rules. RMDs typically begin the year following the owner's death. However, for minor children, the 10-year rule applies once they reach the age of majority.
3. Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (NEDBs):
This category includes most adult children, grandchildren, friends, and certain trusts. The 10-year rule applies, but there's a critical distinction:
- If the deceased owner died BEFORE their Required Beginning Date (RBD): No annual RMDs are required during the 10-year period. The entire account balance simply needs to be distributed by December 31st of the 10th year following the year of death.
- If the deceased owner died ON or AFTER their Required Beginning Date (RBD): Annual RMDs are required during the 10-year period, calculated using the beneficiary's life expectancy. Additionally, the entire account balance must still be distributed by December 31st of the 10th year following the year of death.
The Required Beginning Date (RBD) is the date by which the original owner would have been required to start taking their own RMDs. This age has changed over time (e.g., 70.5, 72, 73, or 75, depending on birth year).
Examples:
Let's consider a few scenarios with an account balance of $150,000 as of Dec 31, 2023, and an RMD calculation for 2024:
Example 1: Spouse Beneficiary
- Account Balance: $150,000
- Beneficiary's DOB: 1980-05-15 (Age 44 as of Dec 31, 2024)
- Deceased Owner's DOB: 1950-01-01
- Deceased Owner's DOD: 2022-03-01
- RMD Year: 2024
- Is Spouse Beneficiary? Yes
- Is EDB Other? No
- Result: RMD for 2024 would be calculated based on the spouse's life expectancy (e.g., $150,000 / 46.0 = $3,260.87, using age 44 factor from table).
Example 2: Eligible Designated Beneficiary (Non-Spouse)
- Account Balance: $150,000
- Beneficiary's DOB: 2000-07-01 (Age 24 as of Dec 31, 2024)
- Deceased Owner's DOB: 1960-01-01
- Deceased Owner's DOD: 2022-03-01
- RMD Year: 2024
- Is Spouse Beneficiary? No
- Is EDB Other? Yes (e.g., adult child not more than 10 years younger, or disabled)
- Result: RMD for 2024 would be calculated based on the beneficiary's life expectancy (e.g., $150,000 / 61.6 = $2,435.06, using age 24 factor from table).
Example 3: Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary (Deceased died BEFORE RBD)
- Account Balance: $150,000
- Beneficiary's DOB: 1980-05-15
- Deceased Owner's DOB: 1965-01-01 (Would reach RMD age 73 in 2038)
- Deceased Owner's DOD: 2022-03-01 (Died before RBD)
- RMD Year: 2024
- Is Spouse Beneficiary? No
- Is EDB Other? No
- Result: No RMD is required for 2024. The entire account must be distributed by December 31, 2032 (10 years after 2022).
Example 4: Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiary (Deceased died ON or AFTER RBD)
- Account Balance: $150,000
- Beneficiary's DOB: 1980-05-15 (Age 44 as of Dec 31, 2024)
- Deceased Owner's DOB: 1950-01-01 (RBD was April 1, 2021, for age 70.5)
- Deceased Owner's DOD: 2022-03-01 (Died after RBD)
- RMD Year: 2024
- Is Spouse Beneficiary? No
- Is EDB Other? No
- Result: RMD for 2024 would be calculated based on the beneficiary's life expectancy (e.g., $150,000 / 46.0 = $3,260.87, using age 44 factor from table). The entire account must still be distributed by December 31, 2032.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current IRS rules for inherited RMDs under the SECURE Act. Tax laws are complex and can change. This is not financial or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional for personalized guidance regarding your specific situation.